Ferguson banking on Rio return
Alex Ferguson has revealed he was taking a long-term view when he left Rio Ferdinand out of the Champions League semi-final defeat to AC Milan last night.
The Manchester United boss felt he could only name one of Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in his starting line-up at the San Siro as both were badly lacking match fitness after recent absences from the Red Devils side.
In the end, Ferguson plumped for Vidic, who at least had been able to do some running while he recovered from the broken collarbone he suffered against Blackburn on March 31, in contrast to Ferdinand, who has been plagued by a groin problem for almost a month.
The move was condemned as “a disaster” by former United boss Tommy Docherty, who felt Vidic was partly responsible for a woeful defensive display which was a huge contributing factor in a 3-0 defeat that saw the Old Trafford outfit denied a meeting with Liverpool in Athens on May 23.
In contrast, Ferguson felt Vidic did okay on his reappearance, with the Scot certain he took the wisest choice by playing the Serbian instead of Ferdinand, whose assurance was badly missed.
“I have no complaints about Nemanja at all,” said Ferguson. “There was an element of risk but I couldn’t play both him and Rio and the lesser risk, without question, was Vidic.
“I have to take the long view and hopefully we now have Rio available now for the rest of the season.”
Both men are expected to figure in Saturday’s Manchester derby at Eastlands, where victory would see United move to within a point of clinching the Premier League title.
Louis Saha is also likely to be involved after his substitutes’ appearance in the San Siro, although the Frenchman may have to make do with a place on the bench as he continues his comeback from a long-standing hamstring problem.
Another minor piece of good news to emerge from what was a disastrous evening for the Red Devils is that Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for the start of next season’s European campaign.
Ronaldo was among United’s biggest disappointments last night and capped off a poor evening by collecting a booking which would have ruled him out of the final if his team had gone through.
There was some suggestion the Portugal winger’s suspension would carry forward to next season.
However, UEFA have confirmed that is the case only with red card offences, leaving Ronaldo clear to make his re-appearance in the group stage next term, where United’s presence has already been assured.
